Compactor with movable backup member

ABSTRACT

In a compactor which includes a sectional liner for a drawerlike refuse receiving receptacle, a movable backup plate is positioned between one wall of the liner and a wall of the receptacle. The backup plate is shiftable outwardly from the wall of the liner within which it is normally in contact so that outwardly acting forces which press the liner against the receptacle wall due to the ram acting on the refuse are relieved to facilitate removal of the liner from the receptacle.

United States Patent 1191 Engebretsen 1 Oct. 1, 1974 [54] COMPACTOR WITH MOVABLE BACKUP 798,679 9/1905 Hulscher 100/250 MEMBER 3,613,566 l0/l97l Shapleigh.,... p 3,687,068 8/1972 Loughran..... .[75] Inventor: Elnar 0- g e 0y,Oh 3,768,399 10/1973 Martiniak 100/218 [73] Assignee: The Hobart Manufacturing 1 i 7 Company, Troy, Ohio Primary Examiner-billy J. wilhite Filed: J 1972 Attorney, Agent,0r Fzrm-B1ebel, French & Bugg In a compactor which includes a sectional liner for a 2% g' 'g' 100/229 100/ drayy r ilssr ifie receivi g r99 ptel a m vab [58] Fntid 25 52 backup plate is positioned between one wall of the l 1 0 O l 9 2 f liner and a wall of the receptacle. The backup plate is 100/255 5 shiftable outwardly from the wall of the liner within ll 17 which it is normally in contact so that outwardly acting forces which press the liner against the receptacle [56] References C'ted wall due to the ram acting on the refuse are relieved UNITED STATES PATENTS to facilitate removal of the liner from the receptacle. 114,271 5/1871 Davis 100/252 737,521 8/1903 Stopple 100/255 x 12 Clam, 7 Drawmg COMPACTOR WITH MOVABLE BACKUP MEMBER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Applicants copending application Trash Compactor with Removable Liner, filed Sept. 27, 1971, Ser. No. 184,038 (Doc), discloses a compactor wherein a drawer-like refuse receiving receptacle is provided with a sectional liner to facilitate removal of compacted refuse from the receptacle.

As disclosed in the above noted application, a ram is mounted adjacent the top of the compactor housing and is movable in a compacting stroke downwardly into the open receptacle and liner received therein when the liner and receptacle are positioned within the compactor housing beneath the ram. Although the ram moves in a substantially vertical compacting stroke, compaction of the refuse in the linerand receptacle generates outward, horizontal components of force which tend to press the liner firmly against the walls-of the receptacle.

Depending upon a variety of factors, such as the coefficient of friction of the materials of which the drawer and receptacle are formed, the force necessary to rei move the liner and compacted refuse from the receptacle may be appreciably greater than the force needed merely to lift the combined weight of liner and refuse from the drawer. Since such compactors are particularly adapted for home use, although not limited to this field, it is desirable that the removal of the loaded liner from the compactor should-be as effortless as possible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention a compactor of the type which includes a removable liner within the refuse receiving receptacle is provided with a movable backup plate interposed between a wall of the liner and a wall of the receptacle, and this plate is shiftable outwardly away from the liner wall to relieve the outwardly acting forces tending to press the liner against the inner surface of the wall of the receptacle.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention a bail is pivotally mounted on an outer surface of the receptacle side wall and is provided with a lever projecting from opposite ends thereof perpendicularly through openings formed in the receptacle side wall and the levers I are pivotally attached to the plate member.

When the receptacle is received within the compactor housing the ball is pivoted flat against the surface of the receptacle and the levers project perpendicularly therefrom inwardly from the receptacle side wall to the plate member. When the receptacle is moved outwardly to the compactor housing the bail may be pivoted outwardly and downwardly and this movement is transmitted through the levers to the plate member to cause it to shifLupwardly and outwardly with respect to the liner side wall which it normally engages.

The plate member has tabs struck therefrom which project perpendicularly from the surface of the plate member and engage the inner surface of the receptacle side wall to space the plate member inwardly from the receptacle side wall in firm, backing engagement with a side wall of the liner. Thus, when outward force is exerted against the liner, which is preferably formed of a material of insufficient strength to resist these forces,

the forces are transferred from the plate member through the tabs to the receptacle side wall, which is suitably braced to provide sufficient support.

The side wall of the receptacle is provided with a series of rectangular openings correspondingly in number and arrangement to the tabs in the plate member but offset therefrom when the plate member is in its innermost position. These openings in the side wall are offset upwardly from the tabs on the plate member a distance such that as the plate member is shifted upwardly through pivotal movement of the bail the tabs enter the openings in the side wall to permit the plate member to move outwardly. In this regard, those portions of the side wall which are struck out to provide the openings therethrough remain attached to the lower edges of the openings and are inclined upwardly and outwardly of the side wall toserve as guide ways for the tabs.

With the above construction the receptacle cannot be moved into its compacting position until the ball is pivotally moved up against the side of the receptacle side wall and this insures that the plate member will also be in supporting engagement with the liner side wall when the receptacle is in the compacting position. Additionally, only a light force is necessary to relieve the outward pressure on the plate member and allow the liner to be removed from the receptacle. It will also be seen from the following description that the plate member is mounted within he receptacle in a manner such that it is easily removed for cleaning and other maintenance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevational view showing the receptacle in the noncompacting position thereof outwardly of the compactor housing;

FIG. 2 is an elevational side view of the compactor with portions broken away to show the receptacle positioned within the housing and the ram partially received within the receptacle;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a portion of the liner, receptacle and plate member;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross sectional view through a portion of the compactor of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional through the entire compactor, but on a reduced scale with respect to FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of the backup plate; and

FIG. 7 is a top view of a portion of the compactor.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, a compactor 10 in accordance with the present invention includes a compactor housing having a base 12, a top 14, opposed side walls, one of which is shown at 16, and a back wall 18. A drawer-like receptacle 20 is slidable on drawer slides 22 from the noncompacting position shown in solid lines in FIG. 1 of the drawings to the compacting position within the housing shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings.

Also mounted within the housing is a ram 24 which includes a self-contained motor 26 for driving, through the gear train indicated in its entirety by the numeral 28, internally threaded nuts 30 which engage the stationary jack screws 32. Thus, and as explained in more detail in the above noted copending application. rotation of the nuts 30 will cause the ram 24 to move upwardly and downwardly along the jack screws 32 in the direction indicated by the double headed arrow in FIG. 2 of the drawings.

Refuse is preferably deposited in a liner 36, rather than the drawer itself, and the liner is preferably of sectional configuration and received in the drawer as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 'of the drawings. Thus, refuse deposited in the liner and receptacle when they are in the position shown in solid lines in FIG. 1 of the drawings, may be thereafter compacted by downward movement of the ram, as seen in FIG. 2 of the drawings. when the liner and receptacle are in the compacting position within the housing in opposition to the ram.

This downward compacting force results in an outwardly acting force which tends to press the liner firmly into engagement with the interior surface of the walls of the receptacle 20, thereby increasing the amount of force necessary to remove the liner from the drawer. This problem is aleviated in accordance with the present invention by positioning, as seen in FIGS. 3 and 5 of the drawings, a backup plate 40 within the receptacle between a side wall 42 of the liner and an opposed side wall 44 of the receptacle.

A bail 46 having an upwardly bowed handle portion 48 is pivotally attached to the outer surface of the side wall 44 by means of four brackets 50. EAch bracket 50 has a substantially semi-circular portion 52 and an outwardly projecting flange 54 and is attached by means of rivets 56 which extend through openings in the portions 54 of the brackets and corresponding openings in the side wall 44.

The backup plate 40 is provided with a pair of clips 58 having legs 59 which project outwardly from the backup plate 40 and extend over lever portions 60 attached to and extending perpendicularly from the bail handle 48. Self-tapping screws 62 extend through the clips 58 to capture the lever portions 60 withinthe clips, and as will be apparent presently, to provide a positive downward force to return the backup plate to its compacting position. Large, rectangular openings 64 are provided in the side wall 44 of the receptacle and the lever portions 60 extend through these openings for engagement with the clips 58.

The backup plate 40 is also provided with a plurality of spacer tabs 66 struck out from the material of the backing plate substantially at right angles thereto for engagement with the inner surface of wall 44, as seen in FIGS. 5 and 6 of the drawings. The side wall 44 if also provided with a series of small rectangular openings 68 corresponding in number, size and arrangement to the tabs 66 but offset upwardly therefrom a slight distance, as also best seen in FIGS. 3 and 5 of the drawings. The openings 68 are formed in the side wall 44 by striking out portions 70 thereof and these portions are retained, attached to the lower edges of the openings and curving outwardly and upwardly therefrom.

With the above construction and with the bail 46 pivoted flat against the side wall 44 and the backup plate 40 positioned in spaced relationship to the wall 44 in supporting engagement with the wall 42 of the liner, the receptacle 20 may be slid inwardly of the housing to the position shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings.

Thereafter, when it becomes necessary to empty the receptacle 20 it is slid outwardly to the poition shown in FIG. 1 and the bail 46 is pivoted downwardly and outwardly. This motionis transmitted through the lever means and clips 58 to the plate member 40, causing it to move upwardly a slight amount and then upwardly and outwardly. Thus, after the initial upward movement of the plate 40 the tabs 66, sliding along the surfaces of the struck out portions 70, enter the openings 68 to permit the plate 40 to move outwardly away from the side wall 42 of the liner. I

This action relieves the outward forces pressing the liner against the interior surface of the receptacle and allows the liner to be readily removed from the receptacle. However, when the backup plate is positioned in supporting relationship with the liner, as shown in FIG.

5 of the drawings, the tabs 66 serve to transmit outwardly directed forces from the liner to the wall 44 of the receptacle.

It will also be noted from FIG. 6 of the drawings, that, in addition to the tab 66, the backup plate 40 is provided with a series of apertures 72 on either side of the clips 58 to provide clearance for the heads of the rivets 56 attaching the brackets 50 to the side wall 44 when the plate member 40 is moved outwardly away from the liner 36. The plate member 40 is also provided with a finger hold 74 to facilitate lifting the plate member from the receptacle 20 for cleaning or other maintenance.

From the above it will be apparent that the present invention provides means for relieving the outward forces on a drawer liner which tend to resist its being removed from the receptacle in which it is contained. It will also be noted that by virtue of the pivotally mounted bail only a very modest force is required to relieve the outwardly directed forces on the liner and at the same time, the receptacle cannot be moved to its compacting position unless the backup plate is in supporting engagement with the opposed wall of the receptacle liner.

while the form of apparatus herein described constitutes a preferred embodiment-of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise form of apparatus, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A compactor comprising:

a. a compactor housing,

b. a ram positioned in said housing,

c. an open receptacle movable between a compacting position in said housing in opposition to said ram and a noncompacting position displaced from said compacting position,

d. an open liner received in said receptacle,

e. means for moving said ram in a compacting stroke into said receptacle and said liner received therein when said receptacle and said liner are in said compacting position,

f. a movable backup member engaging a wall of said linear when said liner and receptacle are in said compacting position, and

g. means disposed outwardly of said backup member for effecting non-pivoting shifting movement of said backup member outwardly away from said liner well independently of movement of said liner wall to facilitate removal of said liner from said receptacle following shifting movement of said backup member.

2. The compactor of claim 1 wherein:

a. said backup member comprises a plate member.

3. The compactor of claim 1 wherein:

ber to move outwardly away from said liner wall.

5. The compactor of claim 4 further comprising:

a. spacer means projecting outwardly from said backup member toward said wall of said receptacle and in engagement with said wall of said receptacle when said receptacle is in said compacting position to space said backup member from said receptacle wall, and

b. opening defining means in said receptacle wall offset from said spacer means when said receptacle is in said compacting position and adapted to receive said spacer means when said backup member is shifted away from said liner wall.

6. The compactor of claim 5 further comprising:

a. inclined plate means associated with said opening defining means in said receptacle wall adapted to facilitate shifting of said backup member into and out of engagement with said liner wall.

7. A compactor comprising:

a. a compactor housing having a base, atop, opposed side walls and a back wall,

b. a drawer-like receptacle slidably received in said housing adjacent said base thereof,

0. a sectional liner received in said receptacle,

d. a compacting ram mounted for reciprocal movement into and out of said liner when said receptacle is fully received within said housing in a compacting position beneath said ram,

e. a plate member interposed between a side wall of said liner and side wall of said receptacle,

f. a bail member pivotally mounted on an outer surface of said receptacle side wall,

g. means defining relatively large openings through said receptacle wall adjacent opposite ends of said bail,

h. lever means extending substantially perpendicularly from opposite ends of said bail through said relatively large openings in said receptacle side wall,

i. means pivotally attaching said lever means to an outer surface of said plate member,

j. a plurality of struck out tabs projecting outwardly from said plate member and adapted to engage an inner surface of said receptacle side wall when said receptacle is in said compacting position,

k. a plurality of openings defined through said receptacle side wall corresponding in number, size and arrangement to said struck out tabs on said plate member and positioned in said receptacle side wall such that said openings are offset with respect to said tabs when said plate member is in supporting .engagement with said liner side wall and aligned with said tabs when said plate member is shifted outwardly with respect to said liner side wall, and

l. a plurality of inclined guide plates extending from a lower edge of each of said openings in said receptacle side wall upwardly and outwardly with respect to said side wall to guide said tabs on said plate member during shifting movement thereof.

8. A compactor comprising:

a. a compactor housing,

b. a ram positioned in said housing,

c. an open receptacle movable between a compacting position in said housing in opposition to said ram and a noncompacting position displaced from said compacting position,

e. a movable member positioned with said receptacle, and

f. means disposed outwardly of said movable member for effecting non-pivoting, shifting movement of said movable member inwardly toward and outwardly away from an opposing wall of said receptacle independently of movement of the contents of said receptacle to facilitate removal of compacted material from said receptacle following shifting movement of said movable member.

9. The compactor of claim 8 wherein:

a. said movable member comprises a plate member.

10. The compactor of claim 8 wherein said shifting means comprises:

a. bail means pivotally mounted on said receptacle,

b. lever means extending inwardly from said bail means into said receptacle, and

c. means pivotally attaching said lever means to said movable member whereby pivotal movement of said bail means is transmitted through said lever means to said movable member to cause said movable member to move outwardly away from said opposing wall.

11. The compactor of claim 8 further comprising:

a. spacer means projecting outwardly from said movable member toward an outwardly. disposed section of said receptacle and in engagement therewith when said receptacle is in said compacting position, and

b. opening defining means in said outwardly disposed section of said receptacle offset from said spacer means when said receptacle is in said compacting position and adapted to receive said spacer means when said movable member is shifted away from said opposing wall.

12. The compactor of claim 11 further comprising:

a. inclined plate means associated with said opening defining means in said receptacle underlying section adapted to facilitate shifting movement of said movable member. 

1. A compactor comprising: a. a compactor housing, b. a ram positioned in said housing, c. an open receptacle movable between a compacting position in said housing in opposition to said ram and a noncompacting position displaced from said compacting position, d. an open liner received in said receptacle, e. means for moving said ram in a compacting stroke into said receptacle and said liner received therein when said receptacle and said liner are in said compacting position, f. a movable backup member engaging a wall of said linear when said liner and receptacle are in said compacting position, and g. means disposed outwardly of said backup member for effecting non-pivoting shifting movement of said backup member outwardly away from said liner well independently of movement of said liner wall to facilitate removal of said liner from said receptacle following shifting movement of said backup member.
 2. The compactor of claim 1 wherein: a. said backup member comprises a plate member.
 3. The compactor of claim 1 wherein: a. said backup member is positioned between a wall of said receptacle and said wall of said liner.
 4. The compactor of claim 3 wherein said shifting means comprises: a. bail means pivotally mounted on said receptacle wall outwardly of said liner, b. lever means extending inwardly from said bail means into said receptacle, and c. means pivotally attaching said lever means to said backup member whereby pivotal movement of said bail means is transmitted through said lever means to said backup member to cause said backup member to move outwardly away from said liner wall.
 5. The compactor of claim 4 further comprising: a. spacer means projecting outwardly from said backup member toward said wall of said receptacle and in engagement with said wall of said receptacle when said receptacle is in said compacting position to space said backup member from said receptacle wall, and b. opening defining means in said receptacle wall offset from said spacer means when said receptacle is in said compacting position and adapted to receive said spacer means when said backup member is shifted away from said liner wall.
 6. The compactor of claim 5 further comprising: a. inclined plate means associated with said opening defining means in said receptacle wall adapted to facilitate shifting of said backup member into and out of engagement with said liner wall.
 7. A compactor comprising: a. a compactor housing having a base, a top, opposed side walls and a back wall, b. a drawer-like receptacle slidably received in said housing adjacent said base thereof, c. a sectional liner received in said receptacle, d. a compacting ram mounted for reciprocal movement into and out of said liner when said receptacle is fully received within said housing in a compacting position bEneath said ram, e. a plate member interposed between a side wall of said liner and side wall of said receptacle, f. a bail member pivotally mounted on an outer surface of said receptacle side wall, g. means defining relatively large openings through said receptacle wall adjacent opposite ends of said bail, h. lever means extending substantially perpendicularly from opposite ends of said bail through said relatively large openings in said receptacle side wall, i. means pivotally attaching said lever means to an outer surface of said plate member, j. a plurality of struck out tabs projecting outwardly from said plate member and adapted to engage an inner surface of said receptacle side wall when said receptacle is in said compacting position, k. a plurality of openings defined through said receptacle side wall corresponding in number, size and arrangement to said struck out tabs on said plate member and positioned in said receptacle side wall such that said openings are offset with respect to said tabs when said plate member is in supporting engagement with said liner side wall and aligned with said tabs when said plate member is shifted outwardly with respect to said liner side wall, and l. a plurality of inclined guide plates extending from a lower edge of each of said openings in said receptacle side wall upwardly and outwardly with respect to said side wall to guide said tabs on said plate member during shifting movement thereof.
 8. A compactor comprising: a. a compactor housing, b. a ram positioned in said housing, c. an open receptacle movable between a compacting position in said housing in opposition to said ram and a noncompacting position displaced from said compacting position, e. a movable member positioned with said receptacle, and f. means disposed outwardly of said movable member for effecting non-pivoting, shifting movement of said movable member inwardly toward and outwardly away from an opposing wall of said receptacle independently of movement of the contents of said receptacle to facilitate removal of compacted material from said receptacle following shifting movement of said movable member.
 9. The compactor of claim 8 wherein: a. said movable member comprises a plate member.
 10. The compactor of claim 8 wherein said shifting means comprises: a. bail means pivotally mounted on said receptacle, b. lever means extending inwardly from said bail means into said receptacle, and c. means pivotally attaching said lever means to said movable member whereby pivotal movement of said bail means is transmitted through said lever means to said movable member to cause said movable member to move outwardly away from said opposing wall.
 11. The compactor of claim 8 further comprising: a. spacer means projecting outwardly from said movable member toward an outwardly disposed section of said receptacle and in engagement therewith when said receptacle is in said compacting position, and b. opening defining means in said outwardly disposed section of said receptacle offset from said spacer means when said receptacle is in said compacting position and adapted to receive said spacer means when said movable member is shifted away from said opposing wall.
 12. The compactor of claim 11 further comprising: a. inclined plate means associated with said opening defining means in said receptacle underlying section adapted to facilitate shifting movement of said movable member. 